Germany is seeking to bolster its capacity in artificial intelligence, with Digital Minister Karsten Wildberger emphasizing the need for increased computational power within the country.
Speaking in a recent podcast, Wildberger stated a shift in perspective is required, moving away from the notion that opportunities in AI have already passed. He argued that Germany’s future – encompassing both its democratic institutions and economic growth – hinges on domestic investment in foundational AI software models.
The European Union is currently planning to incentivize the construction of large-scale ‘Gigafactories’ focused on AI processing across Europe, allocating funding in the tens of billions of euros. A competitive process is underway to determine locations for these facilities.
Wildberger revealed that Germany has submitted six applications for consideration in this process and he expressed hope for EU funding to establish a facility within the country. He underscored the immense computational requirements of advanced AI models, stressing the need for sufficient processing capacity.
During a recent visit to the United States, the Minister articulated Germany’s intention to leverage its strengths in key technological areas. He framed this as a matter of national sovereignty, highlighting a desire for greater activity and investment in critical technologies like cloud computing and artificial intelligence, with goals of spurring growth and becoming a leader in innovation.
When asked about proposals from the State Minister for Culture, Wolfram Weimer, regarding a digital tax on US tech companies, Wildberger offered a cautious response, stating that his current priorities lie elsewhere.
Wildberger concluded by expressing a desire for greater openness to change and innovation within Germany, advocating for renewed enthusiasm for new technologies and a more proactive embrace of progress, starting with a mindset shift towards courage, curiosity and faith in innovation.